An alternative view of unemployment, misguided pursuits (employer, work, company)

[Smooth23]

Originally Posted by ReturningWest

I thought WT too but had to laugh at I_Love...

Its not WT, WT always tries to backhandedly insult half the members of this board.

[bluebelt1234]

Originally Posted by thinkin about it

I play poker, but I grind low stakes. Roughly translated, that means I got a degree heavy on math(physics), and dislike gambling as a pursuit thus never feel compelled to "gamble" mid-hand. So I'm better than most players already. You wouldn't know it's a recession the way most play poker. Couple this with new-ish technology enabling "multi-screening" and you're making enough to get by.

Prior to that, though, I had very few "real jobs." I genuinely like being unemployed. I've gone through the whole "feeling bad about it" phase, feeling shame and guilt etc. I don't know, I just grew out of it. Getting laid helps (that is the only reason anyone does anything after all). I'm loving life right now and feel no shame or guilt about not working.

I drink good coffee, work out, eat reasonably well, and get laid most days. Same as ever. Throw in watching TV and an internet connection and I can honestly say I don't desire anything else out of life. I guess I'd like to see some things, but I think the smell at the Sistine Chapel is over-valued, and Will Hunting had the more correct idea. Besides, HD is a pretty incredible picture, and I have torrents.

I keep an eye out for jobs, but I'm strictly in the market for part-time work (maybe 15 hours a week, max) and nothing I wouldn't like doing.

I know lots of people with jobs, "good" jobs, and they don't seem that happy to me. They rarely admit it, as in an ego-driven society it's a pretty ballsy confession to make. I think the whole thing is pretty much a scam, a necessary one to make society work, but all the people needed to make it work are being used. Brainwashed into thinking they want expensive crap so that they'll willingly participate in the scam and waste away the one life they have behind a desk or covered in motor oil.

I try to get around this and work as little as possible and enjoy life. If you want to couch this in irresponsibility to justify 70 hour work weeks go ahead-but you and I know that's absurd. Most of us work for corporate conglomerates that do more harm than good anyway, let's get real here.

Don't get me wrong, if you genuinely are passionate about architecture or something and get deep satisfaction from it good for you! I'm not passionate about architecture or any of the careers available, and that even includes ones out of reach. There's no job on planet earth I would really, really want to do all that badly. And I think this is common in a lot of people who just aren't being honest with themselves. They're faking it.

Doing a job I hate, or even find tolerable, rather than stuff I really like doing (watching tv, skating, screwing and hitting a bong(legally, mods!) - and I like doing these things in a way that's "just so" and wouldn't mesh with any career ie star in drunk-skate-porn movies) makes no sense to me. I have no desire to be successful for the sake of it. I don't get the whole pissing contest aspect of trying to be a success. I've never felt any obligation to impress my parents at all. So it just doesn't make sense to break my own balls trying to do something I won't like doing and which won't benefit me in any meaningful way. Does it to you?


Maybe I'm wrong about all this. I'm sure there will be a lot of emotional responses calling for my head, as I basically laid waste to the lives of many people. I know it's obviously a gross oversimplification at best. Some people have kids to feed, deeds to pay off, etc. But I think a more laid back mental approach is not just "necessary" to help you out in this odd situation, but it is fundamentally correct.

What do you think?

I am just really curious, how do you make a living? How do you pay rent, utilities, food, water, entertainment, clothing, etc.? After all unemployment only lasts for a year. Do you live with parents or something? Do you have a substantial trust fund or did you win the lottery?

I don't like unemployment because I want out of my parents house, want to be self supporting, and be able to pay for the various necessities.

[golgi1]

Umm...he already said he makes his money from poker. He didnt say anything about welfare.

I'm sure the OP knew he would get a lot of knee jerk reactions from the post. But I do think a lot of it has merit.

Most people only work as much as it takes for them to survive comfortably. No one drives a truck, digs ditches, waits tables, or programs computers for the social good. They do it to survive. If they could work less and still do so then they would. Its human nature, from the most blue collar to the most white collar of workers. So would all of you, and if you say any different, then most of you wouldn't be telling the truth. The OP has found a way to work less and be comfortable. If its sustainable, then I think that its fine. He's not worse than the financiers of this country, who essentially skim from the top without anyones permission or ability to stop them. At least the OPs profession allows him to gain is living from honest means, that is the participants in the poker game willingly put their money at risk knowing that there is a strong chance that they will lose it. Its a mutually agreed upon game. A lot of professions in this world blatantly rob value from economy and society, and dominate the game with the citizens of this country, a game that we cannot opt out of, without creating anything or giving anything back in kind. Society calls those thieves / people successful. He gains his money permissively.

If your an employee, then your employer likely takes half or more of your true value produced. Many people arent comfortable with this, and have an insatiable need to not give up part of their lives for other peoples profit. I think that is a very legitimate perspective, and is essentially what drives people to produce new ways to create value and novel ways to contribute to society. The Op plays poker now, but his need for independence may one day drive him into other businesses.

In reality, nothing most of us ever do in this world will ever be remembered past what your children know of you. Everyone dies and almost no one is remembered and most of our actions on this planet are meaningless. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Most wealthy people are never even remembered, nor is their wealth. Thats the truth. One day, even Mozart will be forgotten. Its the law of entropy, as it applies to information and history. Our lives are our own, and for us to enjoy in each moment that they are lived. As long as we're not hurting anyone, or taking from anyone, then I think we should do what allows us to enjoy our time here as much as possible. I think the OP has found a relatively benign way to do this. I think a blind work ethic is immature and short sighted. No one on their death bed ever wishes they would have worked more. We work as much is necessary, no more and no less. If the OP decides to have a family one day, then he will change his habits by necessity. Until then, I say live and let live.

Also, are government doesn't give a **** about our ability to enjoy what we work so hard for and earn. If it did, it wouldn't let immigrants pour into the country and vastly increase the stress on welfare systems. The rising cost of this to society means that you must pay for these programs with increasing taxes and, by extension, your work and your lives. That, also, is the truth. The name of the game is keeping your life as your own. Some of us rebel against the system that doesn't care about them, and find unconventional means of taking back our lives.

[mcb1025]

Originally Posted by golgi1

Umm...he already said he makes his money from poker. He didnt say anything about welfare.

I'm sure the OP knew he would get a lot of knee jerk reactions from the post. But I do think a lot of it has merit.

Most people only work as much as it takes for them to survive comfortably. No one drives a truck, digs ditches, waits tables, or programs computers for the social good. They do it to survive. If they could work less and still do so then they would. Its human nature, from the most blue collar to the most white collar of workers. So would all of you, and if you say any different, then most of you wouldn't be telling the truth. The OP has found a way to work less and be comfortable. If its sustainable, then I think that its fine. He's not worse than the financiers of this country, who essentially skim from the top without anyones permission or ability to stop them. At least the OPs profession allows him to gain is living from honest means, that is the participants in the poker game willingly put their money at risk knowing that there is a strong chance that they will lose it. Its a mutually agreed upon exchange of value. A lot of professions in this world blatantly rob value from economy and society, without creating anything or giving anything back. He gains his money permissively.

In reality, nothing most of us ever do in this world will ever be remembered past what your children know of you. Everyone dies and almost no one is remembered and most of our actions on this planet are meaningless. Thats the truth. Our lives are our own, and for us to enjoy. As long as we're not hurting anyone, or taking from anyone, then I think we should do what allows us to enjoy our time here as much as possible. I think the OP has found a relatively benign way to do this. I think a blind work ethic is immature and short sighted. No one on their death bed ever wishes they would have worked more. If the OP decides to have a family one day, then he will change his habits by necessity. Until then, I say live and let live.

I think you're missing the point, golgi. When some of us say that he's not contributing, we mean in the form of taxes. He's likely not paying income tax on the money he wins from poker. Yet, he probably still takes advantage of the public services provided to the public, whether in a direct or indirect form (think public roads, military, public schools, public libraries, etc.) Where do you think governments get the money to pay for these basic services? No, it's not free, despite what some may want you to believe (like publicly funded health care).

You're right in the sense that we're all doing what we need to survive. But we all must contribute to an extent in order to have some of the basic luxuries we have today. So, next time you decide to defend someone like the OP, take a look at all the taxes you're paying on your income (assuming you have a job), while guys like the OP pay nothing, yet take advantage of the same services. I think you might change your stance.

[golgi1]

Originally Posted by mcb1025

I think you're missing the point, golgi. When some of us say that he's not contributing, we mean in the form of taxes. He's likely not paying income tax on the money he wins from poker. Yet, he probably still takes advantage of the public services provided to the public, whether in a direct or indirect form (think public roads, military, public schools, public libraries, etc.) Where do you think governments get the money to pay for these basic services? No, it's not free, despite what some may want you to believe (like publicly funded health care).

You're right in the sense that we're all doing what we need to survive. But we all must contribute to an extent in order to have some of the basic luxuries we have today. So, next time you decide to defend someone like the OP, take a look at all the taxes you're paying on your income (assuming you have a job), while guys like the OP pay nothing, yet take advantage of the same services. I think you might change your stance.

With all of the federal tax abuse going on, and your federal taxes winding up in the individual bank accounts of Bank CEOs, I wont comment on federal taxes.

If he doesn't own property, then he isn't accountable for paying for local services that property taxes are designed to pay for. If he does own property, then I guarantee he pays property tax.

If your talking about the small amount of local/state income tax that he is likely not paying, then ok. But I still think that you should save your attention and effort for the much larger fish that at the same time are a part of the system, and abuse the system to their great benefit.

He pays sales tax.

Also, think about it this way. Taxes were payed on the money at one time. Whoever earned the money to lose to him likely paid taxes on it. Eventually, all of the money is paid back to the government in taxes, as it changes hands. For now, its actually better that it goes into the economy at this time, without it being funneled back to the government and into the coffers of large banks. The federal government pays for its infrastructure mostly by printing money. Your paid taxes largely go to pay off interest to the federal reserve for borrowing that money. Food for thought.

[nikorock28]

Originally Posted by mcb1025

I think you're missing the point, golgi. When some of us say that he's not contributing, we mean in the form of taxes. He's likely not paying income tax on the money he wins from poker. Yet, he probably still takes advantage of the public services provided to the public, whether in a direct or indirect form (think public roads, military, public schools, public libraries, etc.) Where do you think governments get the money to pay for these basic services? No, it's not free, despite what some may want you to believe (like publicly funded health care).

You're right in the sense that we're all doing what we need to survive. But we all must contribute to an extent in order to have some of the basic luxuries we have today. So, next time you decide to defend someone like the OP, take a look at all the taxes you're paying on your income (assuming you have a job), while guys like the OP pay nothing, yet take advantage of the same services. I think you might change your stance.

Nearly 50% of all Americans do not pay any federal income taxes. This is due to the enormous increase in child tax credits, earned income tax credits, day care credits and who knows what else. It is clear the OP is single, so even if he is not paying taxes at least he is not TAKING money from the government. Do not criticize the OP. Criticize the low income family who had yet another child when they cannot support their existing children. Sure, one person may be working, but the government literally hands multiple thousands of dollars to them every single year. Lets say he made $20K playing poker. This equals a federal tax burden of about $1K. How much do you think the low income family costs the government every year? If you consider Section 8 housing, food stamps, tax credits, WIC, medicaid, school lunches and everything else it can easily exceed $25K per year. When you factor in administrative costs, etc. who knows what the real cost is with how inefficient the government is.

Sure, he may have a bit of an attitude, but at least he is minding his own business, not affecting others and living life the way he desires. I find simplicity to be completely undervalued in America.

[jdm2008]

Originally Posted by mcb1025

I think you're missing the point, golgi. When some of us say that he's not contributing, we mean in the form of taxes. He's likely not paying income tax on the money he wins from poker. Yet, he probably still takes advantage of the public services provided to the public, whether in a direct or indirect form (think public roads, military, public schools, public libraries, etc.) Where do you think governments get the money to pay for these basic services? No, it's not free, despite what some may want you to believe (like publicly funded health care).

You're right in the sense that we're all doing what we need to survive. But we all must contribute to an extent in order to have some of the basic luxuries we have today. So, next time you decide to defend someone like the OP, take a look at all the taxes you're paying on your income (assuming you have a job), while guys like the OP pay nothing, yet take advantage of the same services. I think you might change your stance.

Where did he say he didn't pay taxes?

[dick1973]

thinking about it has never been to Oakcrest Manor. It's a hellhole of a place they send people to live/die that can't take care of themselve and only have SS benefits.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by dick1973

thinking about it has never been to Oakcrest Manor. It's a hellhole of a place they send people to live/die that can't take care of themselve and only have SS benefits.

Ditto that. Plus, don't ya kind of have to work and pay into the system to get SS?

I am thinking the OP might be young and change his tune one of these days.

[golgi1]

Just for the record, you should pay your taxes. But, yeah, I dont even recall him mentioning non-payment of taxes, and so how did the thread even get there?
Many poker players pay taxes on their winnings. I even think that some people who run illegal operations do. While what they do may be illegal, as I believe online poker is in the USA (Could be wrong), paying taxes means that they cant get you for what you do on tax evasion. They would, instead, have to have evidence of a crime.

I know of many, many people who make their livings via online poker. They than have the freedom to live anywhere in the world that they choose. Pretty attractive lifestyle, and they dont have to worry about using services on which they pay no taxes (as far as the USA is concerned, anyway). Perpetual tourists if you will.